How to Have Difficult Conversations Without Burning Bridges

Metadata

• Author: Evelyn Nam
• Full Title: How to Have Difficult Conversations Without Burning Bridges
• Category: #articles
• Document Tags: leadership
• URL: https://hbr.org/2023/05/how-to-have-difficult-conversations-without-burning-bridges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_weekly&utm_campaign=ascend_not_activesubs&deliveryName=DM278778

Highlights

• See others as a potential allies, not adversaries. (View Highlight)
• During the discussion, the emphasis needs to be on helping them understand their mistake rather than trying to shame them for it (View Highlight)
• Intent matters. So, listen to the other person’s views (View Highlight)
• To clarify those intentions, listen actively and be curious. “Listening doesn’t mean compromising. It means truly understanding where the other person is coming from (View Highlight)
• The norm of reciprocity — I do unto you what you do unto me — is a basic human behavior. That will enable the other person to open up the floor to you, making it easier for us to convey our stance (View Highlight)
• Viewing the other person as human (albeit with flaws) with the same fundamental need to be heard and respected can go a long way in creating the change we want to see happen. (View Highlight)